A survey shows that investor confidence in Germany has unexpectedly edged higher as hopes hold up that growth in Europe's biggest economy will return.

According to The Associated Press, the ZEW institute said Tuesday, March 19 that its monthly index rose to 48.5 points in March from 48.2 in February. It's the fourth consecutive monthly increase and contrasts with economists' prediction of a decline to 47.5.

The institute's president, Clemens Fuest, says investors are sticking to their expectations that Germany's economy, which shrank in last year's final quarter, will improve over the coming months. The eurozone debt crisis remains the biggest threat to the recovery.

ZEW says 245 analysts were surveyed for the index between March 4 and this Monday.